Campus clips: Mission, learning and honors

The monthly “Campus Clips” column includes brief reports submitted to Reporter by Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools, campus ministries, universities and seminaries.

In pursuit of truth

The second LCMS U Campus Ministry Staff Conference was held May 29–30 at Luther Memorial Chapel and University Student Center in Shorewood, Wis. Under the theme “Live Not By Lies,” speakers addressed topics of Christian identity, mental health and equipping students to reach out on secular college campuses. Plenaries were led by the Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer, the Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Saunders and the Rev. David Kind. Sectional topics included reaching out to international students, getting college students excited about reading Scripture and helping students get into the Book of Concord. Luther Memorial Chapel and its pastor, the Rev. Michael Larson, served as hosts of the conference. Another event is planned for 2025.

Distinguished educators

Concordia University Chicago, (CUC), River Forest, Ill., recently announced the honorees who will be recognized later this year at CUC’s annual Maroon and Gold gala. On Sept. 28, four individuals will be honored for their faithful service within Lutheran education and to their vocations:

Outstanding Graduate, Dr. Kara Bratton, Ph.D. ’20 — Awarded for Bratton’s commitment and leadership within Lutheran education.

Graduate of the Last Decade, Katrina Jurica, B.M.E. ’14 — Awarded for Jurica’s work to build music programs at multiple Lutheran schools in the Chicago area.

Spiritus Christi, Dr. Richard Fischer, CUC professor of music and director of bands — Awarded for Fischer’s character, integrity and actions that have profoundly impacted the church at large.

One Heart, Dr. Kirk Farney, vice-president for Advancement, Vocation and Alumni Engagement, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill. — Awarded to honor Farney’s devotion to faith and service to the community.

For more details on the awardees and the event, visit cuchicago.edu/maroon-gold.

Early childhood education

Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb., hosted its annual early childhood education conference June 2–3. About 150 people attended the event, designed to benefit those interested in learning more about early childhood education.

The conference featured more than 20 breakout sessions, three keynote presentations, service opportunities and time to interact with peers.

“At [CUNE], we strive to provide the best educational resources available,” said CUNE Assistant Professor of Education Dr. Drew Gerdes, conference chairman. “Being a lifelong learner is a key aspect of growth and professional development. The opportunity to network and fellowship at this conference echoes the matchless community that is such an integral part of who we are at [CUNE].”

From left, Noah Martini, a senior from Trinity Klein Lutheran Church, Spring, Texas, and Jennifer Loeber, a senior from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Tracey, Calif., serve as part of a student mission team from Concordia University Irvine (CUI) that participated in a service project at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Navajo, N.M. (CUI)

Mission trip to New Mexico

Six undergraduate students from Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif., participated in a mission trip to Navajo, N.M., May 9–16. The students were the fourth CUI team in recent years to work on a service project for Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, located on the Navajo reservation. Gathering stones from the surrounding foothills, the students worked with a local craftsman to build bases for the church’s signpost. Additionally, they planned and provided a vacation Bible school for the local children and helped with worship and a fellowship meal for church members. The students were accompanied by Dr. Teresa Hess and Dr. Cari Chittick. Hess is an associate faculty member in the CUI School of Education and also serves as director of Student Teaching. Chittick is an associate professor in the School of Education and Christ College. She also serves as the director of Lutheran Teaching Programs and LCMS Placement.

Strategic planning

The Board of Regents of Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), St. Paul, Minn., recently adopted Strategic Plan 2030 to guide the university’s work in a challenging and changing higher education environment.

This new plan is centered around CSP’s Christ-centered Lutheran identity and flows from the university’s mission, vision and promise statements. Three goals comprise the plan:

Grow enrollment to 10,000 unique students;

Deliver career-connected curriculum; and

Increase persistence to graduate.

“Strategic Plan 2030 builds on Concordia, St. Paul’s, strengths and growth while maintaining a laser focus on preparing students to live out their vocations in a dynamic world,” said the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, CSP president. “As we live out our identity as a university of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, we pray for even more opportunities to serve the church and world.”

Musical achievement

All three large music ensembles at Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA), Ann Arbor, Mich., have been awarded finalist status in the 2024 American Prize competition — the first time all three have been recognized in the same year. The American Prize is a renowned performing arts competition, celebrating excellence in various categories across professional, college, community and high school levels. Established in 2010, it recognizes top talent through submitted recordings.

New VP named

Earlier this summer, Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA) welcomed Jennifer J. Benanti as its new vice-president of Advancement. Benanti brings more than 12 years of experience overseeing advancement and development operations for organizations in the higher education, health care, arts and nonprofit realms. Most recently, she served as executive director of Cancer Initiatives on behalf of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and, before that, as vice-president of Foundation Development for Advocate Aurora Health Care in Milwaukee. Benanti, who is from Illinois, said the CUWAA position presented an opportunity for her to return to her Midwestern roots and join a faith-focused work community.

The Rev. Theodore Krey (center) receives the 2024 Alumnus of the Year Award during commencement on May 17 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW). Among those congratulating Krey are the Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen (shaking Krey’s hand) and the Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., outgoing CTSFW president. (CTSFW)

Degrees, awards granted

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), closed its 178th academic year with commencement exercises in Kramer Chapel May 17, conferring degrees in eight programs and honoring several award recipients.

The Rev. Theodore Krey, regional director for the LCMS Office of International Mission’s Latin America and the Caribbean region, received the 2024 Alumnus of the Year Award. A 2001 graduate of CTSFW, Krey also served as commencement speaker.

Miles Christi (“Soldier of Christ”) awards were presented to Arvold and Carol Fisher, Tyler, Texas (posthumous award for Carol); Robert Trapp, Punta Gorda, Fla.; Gloria Keller, Valparaiso, Ind.; William and Audrey Dahlgren, Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; and the Rev. Walter and Ruth Otten, Brookfield, Ill. The Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., who presided over his last CTSFW commencement as president, received a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa. CTSFW Provost Rev. Dr. Charles Gieschen also acknowledged the Rev. James Wiggins Sr., whose Doctor of Divinity was conferred April 10 in conjunction with the Black Clergy Caucus Conference held at CTSFW.

Thinking about AI

How can the latest technology be used in service to the church’s mission? What are the pros and cons of AI, virtual reality and social media when used in service to the Gospel? This is the focus of the 34th Annual Theological Symposium at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Sept. 17–18. Under the theme “Technology and the Church: Promise and Peril,” speakers will explore the opportunities and the challenges that contemporary technologies pose for the lives of individual Christians and for the entire church in life, witness and service. Registration is $175 and includes meals. The registration deadline is Sept. 4. Seminary faculty and students can attend for free but must pre-register. Learn more.

Posted July 3, 2024